Social networking platform, Facebook has launched a standalone gaming app, allowing users to create and watch livestreams of games in a challenge to the Amazon-owned Twitch platform.

The new app by Facebook goes available for Android devices, with a separate version for Apple’s iOS in the wor.

The company said that the new app will enable users to watch “e-sports” or game competitions as well as participate in games with other users online.

Facebook said it worked to launch the app to encourage meaningful community interactions for people quarantined due to novel Coronavirus outbreak.

Facebook said it sees strong interest in the new app globally.

Around 700 million users world-wide already participating in the gaming platforms on this app.

It has been testing the app in some parts of the world since 2018.

“The Facebook Gaming app is a focused, gaming-only experience where you can watch your favourite streamers, play instant games and take part in gaming groups,” the company said in a statement on Twitter.

“It’s all of Facebook Gaming in one neat, app-sized package.”